Little Mattie Grove- Lozier (KY) 1997 Wilson REC
[From: Meeting's a Pleasure; Folk-songs of the Upper South; Volumes 1&2. Their notes follow.
R. Matteson 2015]
Mark Wilson writes in the notes that many singers (he cites Buell Kazee and Almeda Riddle, as examples) refused to sing Mattie Groves, regarding it as a dirty song. I know other collectors have said the same. Given that it must, therefore, have had more limited transmission between singers than others of the old world ballads, it's interesting how it has survived in such long, full versions as this, one of the longest tracks on the present discs, or the ones Mike Yates collected in Appalachia (MTCD321-4), or Dillard Chandler's on Dark Holler (SFW 40159).
It is rather surprising that Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard has remained so popular in the United States, given that many singers (eg, Buell Kazee and Almeda Riddle) have pointedly informed me that they consider it a 'dirty song'. Excellent renditions by Nimrod Workman can be heard on both Rdr 0076 and JA 001. Two additional versions can be found on MT 321 and 323.
19. Little Mattie Grove - Mary Lozier, vocal (Rec: Mark Wilson and Roger Cooper, South Portsmouth, Ky, 10/14/97) Roud 52, Child 81.
It was on a high, high holy day, the very best day of the year
Little Mattie Grove he went to church, some holy words for to hear.
The first come down was dressed in red, the second was dressed in green.
The third come down was Lord Daniel's wife, as fair as they were seen.
Then Mattie Grove said to one of his men, "See the fair one dressed in white
Although she is Lord Daniel's wife, I'll be with her tonight."
Well, a little foot page was standing by, he heard every word that was said
He said, "Lord Daniel will hear of this before I go to bed."
He had fifteen miles for to travel that night and ten of them he run
He run 'til he came to a broke down bridge, then he bowed to his breast and he swum.
He swum 'til he came to where the grass was green, then he jumped to his feet and he run
He ran 'til he came to Lord Daniel's gate and he rattled at the bells and they rung.
"What news, what news," Lord Daniel said, "What news to me do you bring?"
"Little Mattie Grove's in bed with your wife and their two hearts beat as one."
"Now if the truth you've told to me, a rich man you shall be.
"But if a lie you've told to me, I'll hang you to a tree."
He gathered him up about fifty good men and he done it with a free good will
And he brought his bugle to his lips and blowed it loud and shrill.
"I'd better get up," Little Mattie Grove said, "I'd better get up and go.
I know your husband's coming home for I heard his bugle blow."
"Lay down, lay down, my precious one, lay down and go to sleep.
It's only my father's shepherd horn, he's a-calling for his sheep."
So they lay down together again and soon were fast asleep
And when they awoke, it was broad daylight, Lord Daniel was at their feet.
"Get up, get up, you naked man, get up and put on some clothes
For I never intend for it to be said that a naked man I slough."
"Give me a chance," Little Mattie Grove said, "A chance to fight for my life
For I see you have a very fine sword and not so much as a knife."
"Oh yes, I have two very fine swords and they cost me deep in the purse
And you may have the finest one and I will take the worst."
Little Mattie Grove struck the very first lick and he wounded Lord Daniel sore
Lord Daniel struck the very next lick and drove Mattie Grove to the floor.
Then he taken his lady by the hand and he put her on his knee
And he said, "Now, which of us do you love the best, Little Mattie Grove or me?"
"Fair well I love your rosy cheeks, fair well I love your chin
"But better I love Little Mattie Grove than you and all your kin."
"You can dig my grave on a pretty green hill, go dig it wide and deep
You can bury Little Mattie Grove in my arms, Lord Daniel at my feet."